06/17/2026
Taking some time this Father's Day to reflect on being both a son and a dad.
When you're young, your dad is a superhero. He can fix anything, knows everything, teaches you how to ride a bike, tie your shoes, bait a hook, throw a curveball, and somehow always seems to have the answer.
Then somewhere along the way, things change. You still love him, but maybe you start to think he doesn't know quite as much as you once believed. As teenagers and young adults, we often think we've got the world figured out. Dad just doesn't understand the times, the economy, politics, technology, or the way things are now.
Then you get a little older.
You enter adulthood and realize maybe Dad wasn't so crazy after all.
Then you have children of your own.
Suddenly you're trying to balance a career, raise a family, maintain a home, save for the future, pay the bills, and still be present for the people who matter most. You worry about things your children never see. You carry burdens they don't know exist.
And then you start asking yourself:
How did Dad do it?
How did he work those long hours and endure those commutes? How did he provide so much while asking for so little? How did he carry the weight of uncertainty through events like Vietnam, 9/11, countless wars and uprisings, the loss of family members at a young age, economic downturns, wars, volatile markets, family struggles, and all the countless worries that come with being responsible for others?
Every generation faces moments that force men to pause, reflect, adapt, and push forward despite uncertainty. Looking back, I realize Dad wasn't just getting through those times—he was carrying all of us through them too.
This Father's Day, the most important gift may not be a tie, a dozen golf balls, or even his favorite meal.
Instead, thank him for the little things.
The things that often go unnoticed.
The sacrifices he never talked about.
The worries he kept to himself.
The extra hours he worked.
The countless ways he made life just a little easier, a little safer, and a little better for his family.
Most dads don't do these things for recognition or thanks. They do them simply because they love their families.
So whether you're 20, 50, or somewhere in between, give him a call. Give him a hug. Tell him thank you.
Happy Father's Day, Dad. ❤️
